PATEA I. v. HAWEBA I.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4287, 24 July 1899, Page 2

PATEA I. v. HAWEBA I.

No little interest was taken in this fixture, which was played on Saturday, for it meant tbat whichever team won would have in all probability to contest with Opunakethe premier honors of the southern end of the district. During the first spell Hawera looked liks winning, for their forwards beat their opponents and their backs handled the ball much more surely. J. Hunter got the ball from the scrum, beat the opposing half, and made an opening for Weaton, who just got over at the oorner flag. A. passing rush in which tho two Hunters, McCarthy, and McLean i shared, should have been a certain score, but McLean dropped on the ball too soon, thinking he was over the line. Again, they attacked, and McCarthy was collared just under the postß. Patea rallied and carried the ball up the field, but good defence spoiled their efforts. In the second spell both sides played all they ( knew. Patea rushed down from their own twenty fives and, Hawera backs all mulling, took the ball over the line, where Rex Hamerton scored. Symes put the ball over the , bar. Hawera attacked strongly and looked like sooring several times, but they- could not handle the greaßy ball. Play was very even in the second spell and neither side had much the better of it. No further score was made and the game ended in a narrow win for Patea by five points to three. Mr Turfcon was a very fair referee. Messrs Ball and W. Lucena were on the touch line. It would be invidious to particularise players, for all played their best. Under the circumstances the winners played the game that pays beßt on wet ground and with a greasy ball} and it was Hawera backs attempting in the seoond spell to play a passing game that enabled Patea to score. It is worth noticing the number of free kioks awarded to Patea for offside play of Hawera, and our forwards should be more careful, for a breach of the rule such as that, might easily lose a match for them. For the last ten minutes Hawera were without the services of Walshe, their excellent wing-man, he having sustained dislocation of the elbow.